President Bola Tinubu led administration has condemned Israel’s recent strike on Iran, describing it as a move that has dangerously escalated tensions between the two nations.

In a statement issued Saturday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the FG expressed deep concern over the intensifying hostilities, which have involved sustained missile and aerial attacks exchanged between Iran and Israel.

The FG called for an immediate end to the violence and urged both countries to show maximum restraint.

According to the statement, continued retaliation risks not only civilian lives but also threatens to destabilise the wider Middle East, with serious consequences for international peace and economic stability.

“The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria condemns Israel’s preemptive strike on Iran that has led to an escalation of hostilities between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel, marked by sustained missile and aerial exchanges across both territories.

“Nigeria expresses its grave concern and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urges both parties to exercise utmost restraint in the interest of regional and global peace.

“The continued cycle of retaliation not only endangers civilian lives but threatens to plunge the broader Middle East into further instability, with implications for international security and economic development,” MFA stated.

Reaffirming its longstanding commitment to peaceful coexistence and diplomatic resolution of conflicts, the FG emphasised the importance of dialogue over confrontation.

The government also called on the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to step up efforts to de-escalate the situation and facilitate meaningful negotiations between the parties involved.

“Military action is not a substitute for negotiation,” the statement read, stressing that enduring peace must be built on diplomacy, mutual respect, and adherence to international law.

Nigeria pledged its support for all sincere efforts aimed at restoring calm and fostering peace in the region.

“As a nation deeply committed to the principles of peaceful coexistence, non-aggression, and multilateral diplomacy, Nigeria calls on all involved to prioritise dialogue over confrontation.

“We urge the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to intensify efforts toward immediate de-escalation and to provide a platform for constructive engagement.

“The path to lasting peace lies in diplomacy, mutual respect, and adherence to international law. Nigeria stands ready to support all genuine efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and promoting peace in the region,” the statement added.

On Friday, Israel launched a major air campaign targeting around 100 sites across Iran, including nuclear and military facilities, killing several senior Iranian military leaders.

The strikes, marking one of the most significant escalations between the two countries in recent years, triggered widespread international reactions urging calm and diplomacy to prevent further conflict.

Among those killed were Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, General Mohammad Bagheri, and the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei called Israel’s wave of strikes a “declaration of war”, as he warned Israel it faced a “bitter and painful” fate over the attacks, while the Iranian military said there were “no limits” to its response.

President Bola Tinubu led administration has condemned Israel’s recent strike on Iran, describing it as a move that has dangerously escalated tensions between the two nations.

In a statement issued Saturday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the FG expressed deep concern over the intensifying hostilities, which have involved sustained missile and aerial attacks exchanged between Iran and Israel.

The FG called for an immediate end to the violence and urged both countries to show maximum restraint.

According to the statement, continued retaliation risks not only civilian lives but also threatens to destabilise the wider Middle East, with serious consequences for international peace and economic stability.

“The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria condemns Israel’s preemptive strike on Iran that has led to an escalation of hostilities between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel, marked by sustained missile and aerial exchanges across both territories.

“Nigeria expresses its grave concern and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urges both parties to exercise utmost restraint in the interest of regional and global peace.

“The continued cycle of retaliation not only endangers civilian lives but threatens to plunge the broader Middle East into further instability, with implications for international security and economic development,” MFA stated.

Reaffirming its longstanding commitment to peaceful coexistence and diplomatic resolution of conflicts, the FG emphasised the importance of dialogue over confrontation.

The government also called on the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to step up efforts to de-escalate the situation and facilitate meaningful negotiations between the parties involved.

“Military action is not a substitute for negotiation,” the statement read, stressing that enduring peace must be built on diplomacy, mutual respect, and adherence to international law.

Nigeria pledged its support for all sincere efforts aimed at restoring calm and fostering peace in the region.

“As a nation deeply committed to the principles of peaceful coexistence, non-aggression, and multilateral diplomacy, Nigeria calls on all involved to prioritise dialogue over confrontation.

“We urge the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to intensify efforts toward immediate de-escalation and to provide a platform for constructive engagement.

“The path to lasting peace lies in diplomacy, mutual respect, and adherence to international law. Nigeria stands ready to support all genuine efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and promoting peace in the region,” the statement added.

On Friday, Israel launched a major air campaign targeting around 100 sites across Iran, including nuclear and military facilities, killing several senior Iranian military leaders.

The strikes, marking one of the most significant escalations between the two countries in recent years, triggered widespread international reactions urging calm and diplomacy to prevent further conflict.

Among those killed were Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, General Mohammad Bagheri, and the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei called Israel’s wave of strikes a “declaration of war”, as he warned Israel it faced a “bitter and painful” fate over the attacks, while the Iranian military said there were “no limits” to its response.

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation barring citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States, as part of a renewed effort to tighten immigration controls.

The affected countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. According to the proclamation, nationals from these countries will face a full suspension of entry into the U.S.

Additionally, citizens from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela will face partial travel restrictions.

The directive is scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT (5:01 a.m. Nigerian time) on June 9, 2025.

In a video posted to X on June 5, President Trump explained that the travel restrictions are intended to bolster national security and prevent the entry of individuals who cannot be adequately screened.

“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen… That is why today I am signing a new executive order placing travel restrictions on countries including Yemen, Somalia, Haiti, Libya, and numerous others,” Trump said.

He further stated that the list of affected countries could be updated in the future, depending on security assessments.

According to Trump, countries facing the most severe restrictions were found to host significant terrorist activity. Others were cited for poor cooperation with U.S. visa security measures, failure to provide reliable identity verification, inadequate record-keeping on criminal histories, and high incidences of visa overstays.

The new proclamation follows an earlier executive order issued on January 20, at the start of Trump’s second term, which called for intensified vetting procedures for all foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S. That order also instructed relevant government agencies to recommend countries to be included in the travel ban based on deficiencies in security screening processes.

The latest move is part of a broader immigration agenda that includes tighter controls on individuals from regions deemed to pose potential security threats, including the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.

Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has been deported from Saudi Arabia and barred from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage—an action that has sparked widespread public reaction. Now, sources have revealed the reason behind the unexpected move.

According to reliable reports, Saudi authorities refused Gumi entry into Medina due to concerns over his alleged associations with groups involved in regional unrest in Nigeria. During routine immigration procedures, the cleric was reportedly questioned about his previous public statements and affiliations, particularly his consistent calls for negotiations and leniency toward armed factions in Northern Nigeria.

Sources claim Gumi was unable to provide responses that satisfied authorities, resulting in his immediate deportation—even though he held a valid Hajj visa. The incident has ignited intense discussions in Nigeria, raising questions about the potential impact on his public standing and influence.